Froome jabs a spectator in the face during Tour de France

BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AP) — Before launching his downhill attack, Chris Froome landed a left jab — to a spectator's face.

That's what happened when a fan wearing the yellow shirt of Colombia's national soccer team and a yellow wig got too close to Froome during Saturday's eighth stage of the Tour de France.

"I have absolutely nothing against the Colombian fans. I think they're fantastic. They bring great (spirit) to the race. But this guy in particular was running right next to my handlebars," Froome said after winning the stage and taking the yellow jersey with a successful solo attack from the top of the day's final climb in the Pyrenees.

The incident appeared to motivate Froome, who left Quintana and the other leading contenders behind on the way down from the Col de Peyresourde.

Aiming for his third Tour win, Froome established a 23-second lead over Quintana in the overall standings.

"Entering the descent of the Peyresourde, I took a bottle of water to refresh myself. Froome profited from that move to take a chance into the downhill and open a gap," Quintana said. "I hesitated for a couple of seconds and he was gone.

"(Teammate) Alejandro (Valverde) went flat out to chase that move, but it wasn't enough," Quintana added. "Those are seconds I hope won't decide the race. The teammates were perfect, but at the end it was a mistake from myself."

Froome's audacious downhill attack will surely gain him the respect of more fans.

Previously known as a more calculating rider who slowly wore down his opponents without any surprise moves, he constantly faced doping accusations en route to winning last year's Tour.

During one stage in 2015, a spectator yelling "doper!" hurled a cup of urine at Froome.

"I have no doubt people out there will already be calculating my VAM (velocity ascended meters per hour) going down that last climb, and saying that it was off the charts," Froome said sarcastically, flashing a wide smile.

"I've never won a stage like that," Froome added, turning serious again. "It really did feel like just taking the race home and enjoying it."

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AP Sports Writer Samuel Petrequin contributed to this report.

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Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf

Britain¿s Chris Froome celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the eighth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184 kilometers (114.3 miles) with start in Pau and finish in Bagneres-de-Luchon, France, Saturday, July 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Colombia¿s Nairo Quintana, Tejay van Garderen of the U.S. and Britain's Chris Froome, follow Froome's teammate Netherlands¿ Wouter Poels who sets the pace for the group of leaders as they climb Peyresourde pass during the eighth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184 kilometers (114.3 miles) with start in Pau and finish in Bagneres-de-Luchon, France, Saturday, July 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)